Pirates Log

Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Kyle Hampton Lence Mentero elevates a pass during a regular season game to help lead the Pirates' squad into a playoff surge.

For the second consecutive year, the Modesto Junior College women's soccer team advanced to the Elite Eight in the Northern California Playoffs.

Lead by Cynthia Pinto's two goals, and playmaker Vanessa Stanfield's two assists, the Pirates rallied to defeat West Valley 2-1 in double overtime in the second round of the 2006 playoffs. With the win, head coach Steve Aristelous will guide his young but successful team into a second consecutive trip to soccer prominence.

In a season which saw Modesto set several school records, hopes of advancement weren't so optimistic in the first and second half of the game against West Valley. However, just as they have done all year, Modesto, which is seeded #8 in the playoffs despite a 18-2-1 record, found a way to secure the victory.

Only ten minutes in the game, Stanfield sent a stolen pass toward Pinto, who swiftly gave MJC a 1-0 lead. Holding a thin 1-0 advantage throughout the first half paid dividends in the 60th minute as West Valley's Kelsey Buchanan knotted up the score 1-1.

In the second overtime period, Pinto headed in another beautiful pass from Stanfield and secured Modesto's spot in the Elite Eight. Modesto's weaknesses seemed have been let loose on several occasions in the game, however, as they've done all year, they stuck together and pulled out a victory. Brenna Noquez, who is in her first season on the team, realized what type of atmosphere this year would be like in the first few games. "There is something different about all of us. We have a huge bond between us all and we especially don't want to fail each other."

This type of attitude has obviously carried on throughout the playoffs as Modesto keeps finding ways to advance to the next round.

In the Elite Eight, the Pirates will host De Anza College, whom they defeated 1-0 earlier in the 2006 season. However, De Anza is coming off an upset victory over #1 seeded Yuba City College 3-0.

Stanfield suggested, "We need to calm down and just play our game for the whole 90 minutes and never let down. Deanza is a very strong team, but very beatable," she added, "we didn't have Lauren in it last time (because of a red card the previous game) so she will help us out a lot. We just need to stay focused."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools